The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence in the commission’s preparedness for the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21. This assurance followed a successful mock accreditation exercise conducted on Tuesday.
Prof. Yakubu visited the Egor, Ikpoba Okha, and Oredo Local Government Areas to assess the readiness for the upcoming election. His on-the-ground evaluation included observing the mock accreditation and reviewing preparations and materials.
Speaking to journalists in Benin, Yakubu praised the mock exercise, highlighting its role in testing the integrity of INEC’s systems, including voter registration and result uploads to the IReV portal. He noted that the technology and local government offices are well-prepared.
“We intended to test-run the integrity of our systems ahead of the election,” Yakubu said. “Everything is in perfect condition, and we are ready for the election in the next 11 days.”
Yakubu emphasized that INEC’s role is to facilitate the election impartially, urging Edo voters to participate actively in choosing their governor. “INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate. The responsibility of choosing the governor is entirely in the hands of Edo voters,” he stated.
He also called on all stakeholders, including security agencies, political parties, candidates, observers, and the media, to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth election process. Yakubu reassured that there are adequate systems and backups in place, emphasizing that the mock accreditation equipment will not be reused in the actual election.
In conclusion, Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the election process and upholding the voters’ choices.
